Why do infants and young children experience redness and swelling after being bitten by mosquitoes?

Jul 08, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I just gave birth last week, and I noticed yesterday that my baby was bitten by a mosquito. Today the area became swollen. Why is that? I would like to ask, what causes redness and swelling from mosquito bites in infants?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
After being bitten by mosquitoes, infants and young children often develop redness and swelling primarily because mosquitoes inject saliva to prevent blood coagulation. The antigenic components in the saliva can trigger an immune response, leading to local inflammation and tissue damage. Additionally, infants have delicate skin with a thin epidermis, loose subcutaneous tissue, and abundant blood vessels, making their local reactions to mosquito bites more pronounced and more likely to result in blistering and swelling. For this situation, parents can take certain measures to alleviate symptoms, such as washing the affected area with an alkaline solution like soapy water or baking soda solution to neutralize acidic toxins. They may also apply calamine lotion or other medications as directed by a physician to relieve itching and reduce inflammation. At the same time, parents should closely monitor changes in the child's symptoms and seek medical attention promptly when necessary to avoid delaying treatment.